Csaba rues missed plot
Aug 17, 2006
DUBIOUS officiating and a consistent level of modest character combined to condemn Laszlo Csaba’s Cranes outfit to a 3-2 defeat in Tripoli on Wednesday.
By Fred Kaweesi
Libya 3 Uganda 2
August 29
Uganda v Burkina Faso
Nations Cup qualifier
September 2
Uganda v Lesotho
DUBIOUS officiating and a consistent level of modest character combined to condemn Laszlo Csaba’s Cranes outfit to a 3-2 defeat in Tripoli on Wednesday.
Csaba claimed with justification that his side deserved a draw from the high-profile friendly, had Egyptian referee Mohammed Risha not inflated the game’s extra time to nine minutes –at the end of which Cranes conceded the third.
“This referee is crazy, I have never seen such officiating,†Csaba lamented.
The German had seen and been proud of his flamboyant ten-man Cranes outfit, who had on two occasions taken the lead in the fast-paced build up in Zawia stadium.
In trying to detach from their old misfortunes infront of goal, Cranes deservedly struck through Anthony Bongoole on 46 and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma on 69 minutes before El Talik and Mohammed Ssadi’s levelers on 59 and 72 minutes respectively.
Bongole was dismissed late in the second-half.
For Sserunkuuma, his second goal under the Csaba reign was proof that he could be the tactician’s silent assassin when the curtains open against Lesotho on September 2.
The KCC FC forward is fast emerging as Cranes potential saviour, having earlier helped the team to a priceless away goal in the 1-1 draw against Rwanda.
But as Cranes reflect on the faults of their Tripoli defeat, its certain Csaba will devote the rest of the team’s training programme instituting a certain level of character of holding onto a lead.
It was the fourth time Cranes were giving away advantage, after their (1-1) home and away results against Ghana last year, and (2-2) against Burkina Faso in the 2006 World/Nations Cup qualifiers.
Unless that improves significantly, Csaba’s men will still find themselves chasing games in the Ghana 2008 qualifiers.
Cranes are striving to make their first finals appearance since 1978 from group three that also has Nigeria and Niger.
James Mayanja in Tripoli adds that Cranes striker Geoffrey Maasa who failed to travel with the national team for build up match has transferred from El Massry of Port Said to division two side El Shams of Cairo in Egypt, Risha disclosed on Wednesday.
Maasa joined the paid ranks from Police FC early this year after the LG Cup in Cairo. Risha declined to disclose the transfer fee.
Meanwhile, South Africa based professionals Timothy Batabaire and Posnet Omony have failed to secure direct flights back to their clubs from Cairo.
FUFA has therefore decided to arrange their travel from Kampala.
Libya 3 Uganda 2
August 29
Uganda v Burkina Faso
Nations Cup qualifier
September 2
Uganda v Lesotho
DUBIOUS officiating and a consistent level of modest character combined to condemn Laszlo Csaba’s Cranes outfit to a 3-2 defeat in Tripoli on Wednesday.
Csaba claimed with justification that his side deserved a draw from the high-profile friendly, had Egyptian referee Mohammed Risha not inflated the game’s extra time to nine minutes –at the end of which Cranes conceded the third.
“This referee is crazy, I have never seen such officiating,†Csaba lamented.
The German had seen and been proud of his flamboyant ten-man Cranes outfit, who had on two occasions taken the lead in the fast-paced build up in Zawia stadium.
In trying to detach from their old misfortunes infront of goal, Cranes deservedly struck through Anthony Bongoole on 46 and Geoffrey Sserunkuuma on 69 minutes before El Talik and Mohammed Ssadi’s levelers on 59 and 72 minutes respectively.
Bongole was dismissed late in the second-half.
For Sserunkuuma, his second goal under the Csaba reign was proof that he could be the tactician’s silent assassin when the curtains open against Lesotho on September 2.
The KCC FC forward is fast emerging as Cranes potential saviour, having earlier helped the team to a priceless away goal in the 1-1 draw against Rwanda.
But as Cranes reflect on the faults of their Tripoli defeat, its certain Csaba will devote the rest of the team’s training programme instituting a certain level of character of holding onto a lead.
It was the fourth time Cranes were giving away advantage, after their (1-1) home and away results against Ghana last year, and (2-2) against Burkina Faso in the 2006 World/Nations Cup qualifiers.
Unless that improves significantly, Csaba’s men will still find themselves chasing games in the Ghana 2008 qualifiers.
Cranes are striving to make their first finals appearance since 1978 from group three that also has Nigeria and Niger.
James Mayanja in Tripoli adds that Cranes striker Geoffrey Maasa who failed to travel with the national team for build up match has transferred from El Massry of Port Said to division two side El Shams of Cairo in Egypt, Risha disclosed on Wednesday.
Maasa joined the paid ranks from Police FC early this year after the LG Cup in Cairo. Risha declined to disclose the transfer fee.
Meanwhile, South Africa based professionals Timothy Batabaire and Posnet Omony have failed to secure direct flights back to their clubs from Cairo.
FUFA has therefore decided to arrange their travel from Kampala.